Just before recess at Holyrood, I was pleased to hear the Scottish Government’s budget being put forward, with a focus on fairness and our collective wellbeing at the heart of decision-making.

Setting out a Scottish Budget with estimated numbers was always going to be a challenge, given the UK Government’s decision to postpone its budget until March.

Having to estimate the Barnett consequential is certainly not the ideal situation but we will continue to hold the UK Government to the promises it made during the General Election to ensure that Scotland receives a fair deal.

One of the most vital themes underpinning this budget was the Scottish Government’s ongoing response to the global climate emergency.

It has delivered on its pledge to increase the proportion of investment directed towards low carbon infrastructure each year, with £1.8billion of capital investment set aside over the coming year for specific projects to reduce emissions.

The budget also sets out substantial new proposals in each of the key areas for action, with increased support for changes in manufacturing, transport and energy use, in how we heat our homes and how we use our land, including record investment in restoring our peatlands and developing new forests.

I am also delighted there will be a record investment of £15billion in health and social care services, as well as £645million for the expansion of early learning and childcare.

Record spending on health also means £17million will be spent on mental health services.

To deliver inclusive growth and tackle child poverty, this budget supports the introduction later this year of the Scottish Child Payment, which when fully rolled out will help 30,000 children out of poverty.

This will be part of the delivery of around £3.4billion worth of social security expenditure.

Scotland also continues to have the fairest and most progressive income tax system in the UK.

No Scottish taxpayer will pay more income tax in 2020/21 on their current income and, for the third consecutive year, more than half of Scottish income taxpayers will pay less tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK.

Resources raised through our tax decisions in this budget will support our vital public services, boost our economy and meet our ambitious target of tackling child poverty through initiatives such as the Scottish Child Payment.

As with every budget, it will now be for parties to come together to support these proposals.

We must all work together to ensure that our public services are protected and our partners in local government have the clarity they require.

This is a budget that offers vision and leadership at a crucial moment for our country.

I hope that my colleagues across the chamber at Holyrood will help us to protect our services and provide stability, despite the best efforts of Westminster to disrupt our process.